Budget Free Arm Sewing Machine
The Brother XL2600I free arm sewing machine offers good value at a very affordable price. You’ll find an adequate number of functions, and it is easy to use, even for beginners.
Whether you are looking for a backup machine for your higher priced model, a machine to learn on, or you just want a sewing machine for occasional mending, you might want to take a look at the Brother XL2600I.
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If you have some experience sewing on a very basic machine, the 25 stitch functions of this Brother machine make it a logical next step in your sewing.
And, if you like to take your machine with you on vacations or you attend sewing classes, the small dimensions and light weight (just 15 pounds) make the XL2600I an ideal choice.
Additionally, if you’re a college student, this value-priced Brother sewing machine is just the right size and the right price to take with you to school.
What the Brother XL 2600I Can Do
While many entry-level sewing machines feature as few as 7 stitches, the Brother XL 2600 has 25 stitches, including basic utility stitches, decorative stitches, and even a few heirloom stitches.
The included presser feet and the range of stitches make it easy to complete projects in garment-making, crafting, home décor, and even light quilting.
And, if it’s been twenty-five years since you’ve used a sewing machine, you’ll be amazed at the “luxuries” that are now standard on the Brother XL2600I:
- An automatic needle-threader saves your eyes by making it a snap to thread the needle.
- A one-step, auto-size buttonholer takes the guesswork and frustration out of making button holes (and keeping them even from one button to the next!).
- A drop-in bobbin – Simply drop the bobbin into the bobbin housing (no case necessary!), pull the tail through the slot, and start sewing.
Brother XL2600I
How it Works
You will need to read the manual and follow it carefully, to make sure you are using the right thread and adjusting the tension properly. Otherwise, you could end up with uneven stitches and thread snarls or breaking.
The machine has a single speed, unlike others that cost a little more, and you may have to practice using the foot control, especially if you are new to sewing.
The Brother XL 2600I isn’t designed for heavy use or thicker fabrics. The internal workings of this Brother sewing machine are plastic, and it lacks the “oomph” needed to power through multiple layers or thick seams.
If you have a problem, repairs are likely to set you back more than the cost of the machine itself, especially if you have to pay to ship it to a Brother servicing center.
How Does the XL2600I Size Up?
The Brother XL2600I is a great little machine for the price. However, sewing machines in this price range—even Brother sewing machines—just can’t handle extended heavy-duty sewing projects.
The Brother XL 2600 is a great free arm sewing machine to learn on, or take with you for light, on-the-go projects, or to use to teach your children to sew.
But if you have a long list of sewing projects, or most of your sewing is heavy-duty, expect to have to replace or repair it.
This is a great back-up or secondary machine, but not the machine to build a tailoring business around.
Here are some other mechanical sewing machines: